Agriturismo Feudogrande

An agriturismo is primarily a farm and usually has a number of rooms or apartments available for guests. Guests can enjoy the tastes of local produce such as wines, conserves, oils, olives, local cheeses, bread, seasonal fruit and vegetables and typical local dishes. Most often they are restored farmhouses located on quiet beautiful estates.

Whether you are celebrating a birthday ending with an 0, a precious stone anniversary, planning a wedding or a relaxing holiday, Agriturismo Feudogrande in Fiumefreddo di Sicilia is the perfect place for you. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Etna and immersed in an ancient organically farmed citrus grove, guests can enjoy beautiful scenery and traditional home cooked Sicilian dishes, produce and tastings of Etna DOC wines

Feudogrande is perfectly located and is approximately a 30 minute drive from Taormina and only a short drive to Etna Sud, (Etna South) where you can board the cable car to start your ascent of Mount Etna. A short distance from Feudogrande you will find the beautiful beaches of Marina di Cottone and the nature reserve of Fiumefreddo. Marina di Cottone has a long beach and clear waters. In recent years it has been awarded a blue flag.

Mount Etna is there honestly .....

The small town of Fiumefreddo di Sicilia takes its name from the river that flows through it, fiumefreddo means cold river and believe me the river is freezing.

The farm has seven large comfortable guest rooms and each has its own entrance and private terrace. Guests can enjoy delicious Sicilian dishes which are prepared with a lot of love only using seasonal produce, meals are served in the original farm house which dates back to the early 1900s. You can also sit outside in the peaceful garden for al fresco dining.

The farmhouse restaurant is open for dining on Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday only at lunch for bookings. One Sunday this June, we were invited for lunch.

Organic Citrus Grove

We set off for Feudogrande with Daisy our dog, after driving through Fiumefreddo we arrived at the main cast iron gates. We then drove for a few minutes through the beautiful citrus grove and eventually arrived at the farmhouse.

Mount Etna had decided to hide behind the clouds on the day we visited but we could just visualise how picturesquely framed the farmhouse would look with Etna behind.

The restaurant is set in an old winery and all the food prepared on site. On the day we visited there was a Confirmation Party for a little girl so the farm was buzzing with excited guests.

On arrival we saw the food being freshly prepared. Giuseppe the owner greeted us and showed us the guestrooms with their beautiful terraces. Each is a perfect size and decorated in traditional Sicilian farmhouse style. The accommodation is great for a family and there is a small playground in the garden to keep children amused.

Giuseppe had prepared a table for us outside on the terrace overlooking the gardens, which are adorned with brightly coloured geraniums, roses and other Mediterranean flowers. There is a lovely pagoda where you can envision having a pre celebration aperitif.

Gardens

As lunch was still being prepared Giuseppe invited us to explore the gardens, Daisy loved it and was particular fascinated by some ornamental stone ducks.

Soon enough lunch was ready, my adopted Sicilian big brother was working there that day and had warned us about the amount of food that we would be eating. Our stomachs were prepared.

The menu is a set price. First we were brought the bread basket. Appetisers were a dish of Sicilian Orange Salad drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar and a dish of Caponata, bad start for me then as I could eat Caponata until the end of days, it is my favourite Sicilian dish.

For the next course we both were given a plateful of wonderful Sicilian delicacies consisting of Parmigiana Melanzane (aubergine, cheese and tomato bake), Courgette and Red Pepper Frittata, Carrozza (deep-fried cheese in breadcrumbs),Marinated Carciofi (artichokes), Rocket Leaves with Parma ham stuffed with Cheese and a helping of Sicilian Ricotta Cheese sprinkled with grated Pistachios from the town of Bronte. Mmmmmmmm ……

Limone (Lemons)

Next came the pasta course, not one but two. I looked at my husband who is very famous for taking second and third helpings. (At a Sicilian friend’s wedding at La Giara in Taormina he had three servings of the risotto course which meant by the end of the main course he could not find room for dessert, which allowed more Cannoli for me). Our pasta course was Gnocchi in a creamy cheese sauce topped with toasted Sicilian almonds and Pasta alla Norma, the most classic of Sicilian pasta dishes which main ingredients are Aubergine and Tomatoes.

Main course was Medallions of Pork in a traditional country style sauce served with roasted potatoes. This was the main course for the Confirmation party.The main course would usually consist of a mixed grilled meats (Carne).

Then we had a Mandarin sorbet to freshen the palate followed by my favourite dessert, Cannoli. All this was washed down with a delicious local white wine.

Feudogrande has a wonderful welcoming atmosphere, Giuseppe is the perfect host and the waiters are delightful. You are really made to feel at home. It is a perfect venue for celebrations of all types.

We spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in the garden sipping Grappa and mingling with the party guests. We even got a slice of the Confirmation cake, such is the hospitality of Sicily.

After a wonderful day we left and could not resist stopping at Marina di Cottone to walk off all that glorious food and give Daisy a run on the beach.

Visit www.feudogrande.it for more information and booking.

Now enjoy our photo gallery of our wonderful afternoon.

The Farmhouse and Gardens